Emergency fuel-valve control



H LUNE. EMERGENCY FUEL VALVE commi..

APPLICATION FILED EMET- H. 19'36- 2 SHETSMSHIEET L "11W I :A M g l 4 wH. '1. LONG. MERGENCYUEL VALVE CONTROL,

9 1l ma `QUvJ 2M .A 0U MUS Dm mum .m2 D m APPLICATION FILED GCT-1l,i916.

, UNrrED- STATES" PATENT OFFICE.

v HERBERT J. LONG, 0F NEW BRUNSWICK', NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TQ TEE-LONG-LANDRETH-SCHNEIDEB, COMPANY, OF NEW BRUNSWICK, NEW JERSEY.

niunaeENcY FUEL-venire contener..

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that ll, l-lnnniz'r'd. LONG, a citizen of the United States,residing at 239 Harrison rive., New Brunswick, in the State of NewJersey and county of Middieser, have invented a new and usefulllmprovement in Emergency Fuel-Valve Conlll tllli trols, of which thefollowing is aspecication, the principle of the invention being hereinexplained and the best mode. in which l have contemplated applying thatprinciple,

so as to distinguish .it from other inventions.

lll/ly invention relates :to a safety provision'l or auxlliarythermostatic control for water heaters and more particularly to theadaptation of a fusible plug in a by-pass connectlonl s0 lthat the waterpressure established-therein on emergency, insures the clos- V ing ofthefuel valve Y ll am well awarel that fusible plugs coml posed of analloy of predetermined melting The vobJect of my invention is to soimprove upon earlier expediente as to achieve the desired insuranceagainst the waste and damage which is due to overheating, in a moresimple, direct and certain manner. lt should 'be understood that thisprovision of a safety'control for fuel valves, ordinarily operated by 4athermostat and power translating mechanism connected therewith, isdesirable-rather than necessary, and hencereconnnended as an auxiliaryactuation for closing` the fuel valve only because of the chance of adefective commercial construction, as

for example a. leak 1n the tube containing the l expansion fluid or abind in the mechanism. ln otherwords, the need of my present inventionin conjunction with a thermostat is due solely to circumstances beyondhuman control.

With the foregoing and other objects in view the invention consists ofthe novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts ashereinafter more specifically described 'and illustrated in theaccompanying Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Der), 23, 1919Application tiled October 11, 1916. lterial No. lltll'l. l

drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is tobe 'understood that changes, variations and modifications can beresortedto which come within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

Figure ll is an elevation of a storage water heater system showingr Iny`present invention in connection therewith.`

tit

titl

liig. lll is an enlarged section of the conl struction constituting thesubject matter of i this invention. Y

lilig. lll is a view corresponding to Fig. lli showing a modification.

lin l which supports a-heater 9 with a suitable gas connection 3,storage tank t and therinostatically operated mechanism there designatedin its entirety by the numeral 5, which is, however, a closed andnecessarily air tight housing casting with which all the other partepertaining to this invention are either 'directly or indirectlyconnected. Directing attention henceforth to 'litiga lll it will benoticed that the casting 5 is provided with five screw threadedopenings, namely, a gas inlet 6, a gas outlet 7, an adjustment opening 8and openings 9 and 1U Vfor the entrance of a thermostatically actuatedmember and a valve stem respectively.

The gas inlet 6 is, of course, intended to be suitably connected withafsource of fuel supply not shown, whereas the gas outlet 7 is to beconnected or disconnected from the con-` nection 3 leading to the heaterthrough the `agency of a suitable valve to be now described. Seated inthe opening 7 is a male union 11 having its inner end formed as a valveseat 1Q and its outer end provided with a washer 13 held between it anda tail piece 14 by means 'of a nut 15. lnteriorly of the union 11 is aconcentric guide 16 adapted to control the movement of the guide stem l1 7 of a valve l18 adapted to coperate with the seat 12 in the usual wayand provided on the opposite side with an actuating valve stem 19. y y lheated in the opening 9 is, another union 20 which is designed to carrythe thermostatic element which in this instance is a tube 21.. to befilled with a'suitable expansible duid such as ether and to bepositioned within the storage tank l as appears in hig. l. '.lhe' tube2l' is shown seatedin a suitable Iet is seen a suitable pedestal 1 inotot

depression and vheld therein by a plug 22 having a central opening 23.Through this opening a thrust rod 24 extends in one d1- 4rection intothe tube 21 and in the other 27, adapted to bear against a complementarysurface upon a lever which constitutes one part of the toggle mechanismfor eifectinga snap action as shown, described and claimed in my PatentNo. 1,231,527 issued June 26,

1917. The description of such exemplifying snap mechanism will beundertaken later.

The member 26 is hollow and extending into it is an adjusting screw 28which carries a pin 29 adapted to be quite loosely engaged by aninclosing adjusting screw -30 which is in turn screw threaded into theopening 8 so as to be accessible to exterior manipula-l tion. ,Theouterextremity of the adjusting screw 30 is shown covered with a4suitable cap 31. The thei'mostatio mechanism just now described ispurposed to permit of an adjustment wherebythe throw of the thrust rod24 may be regulated within predeterlmined limits of tem erature.

The lever 32 whic is to be engaged and moved by the knife edge 27 ispivoted'upon a pin 33 secured toa stud 34 a suitable distance from thewalls of the housing 5. Movement of the lever 32 by the thrust of therod 24 is resisted by a suitable'spring 35. The lever 32 has its ownextremity likewise provided with a knife edge 36. Another lever 37 isalso pivoted upon the pin 33 and extends beyondthe knife edged extremity36 where its extremity articulates at 38 with the y actuating valve stem19. Near its point of articulation the lever 37 is also provided with aknife edge v39. Interposed between the knife edges 36 and 3 9 is areacting struc ture composed of male and female guides 40 and 41respectively and both surrounded by a balance spring 42. In thisinanner,as the lever 32 passes its neutral position, and its knife edge 36 aswell as the knife edge 39 on the lever 3 7, come in line with the pivot`3 3, it will be caused suddenly to snap to one side thereof or theother' and inso doing cause the lever 37 likewise to snap but in theopposite direction whereby'to suddenly either open or close the fuelvalve.

f Ihe male spud of the separable union 20 is itself provided with alateral opening 43 in which a `spud 444s secured. Thatend of the bore ofthe Spud 44, which communi- `event of such a happening the valve maycates more directly with the union 20 is provided with a fusible plug 45adapted to melt when subjected to a temperature by the water in the tank4 such as may be determined upon. Of course, the melting temperature ofthe plug 45 will be fixed at a degree higherthan the temperatureordinarily required to actuate the toggle mechanism for the closing ofthe fuel valve 18. The other end of the spud 44 is connected b means ofa nut 46 with a copper tube 4 having communication with a safety chambercomposed of two parts 48 and 49 between which a diaphragm 50 is secured.The component part 49 is suitably fitted into the opening 10 of thehousing 5. Fixed to the diaphragm 50 is a safety stem 51 axially alinedwith and adapted to impinge against the free extremity of the actuatingvalve stem 19 when the diaphragm 50 is moved by the incoming waterpressure. On the opposite side a spring 52 is operatively positioned soas to normally hold the diaphragm 50 and hence the safety stem 51 in anorm-al osition beyond the range of movement o the actuating valve stein19.

In operation the snap actuation of the fuel valve 18 to either open orclosed position, in response'to the influence of varying temperatureupon *the therinostatic mecha- 95 nism, in the ordinary course has analternating action giving the desired results so long as the mechanismis operating satisfactorilyf.v In the event that conditions ariseywhichf either delayor preclude the timel VcoiitijoliOO of the valve dueto the changes o temper'- ature within certain prescribed limits, thesafety expedient of my present improvement is called into action.Manifestly, in the too long remain open with' a consequent overheatingof the water, enough presently to fuse vthe plug 45 and effect theapplication of pressure to the near side of thediaphragm 50 which isthereby exed to move the stem 51 and as adjusted tlie-stem 19 alsosufficiently to firmly seat the valve 18. It should moreover be`understood that the actuation of my safety control is truly auxiliary inthat it actuates the same fuel valve and in the same manner that itwould bc otherwise actuated had the unavoidable conditions not occurredto hinder the operation of the snap mechanism.

The modilied form of my invention in Fig. III, on Sheet 2 of thedrawings, involves an alteration in the relative locations or' certainparts and as a consequence a change in minor-respects as to the shape ofspecific details. Principally the difference consists in presenting thethermostatic tube, which is intended to be inserted in the storage tank,at an angle of 90 degrees to the valve stein instead of parallelthereto. and in also reversing the'relation of the valve to its 130 tit)mits of `the construction as a Whole to be better fitted and tobe'better accommodated in space made available by a popular type ofWater heater now on the market. ing 53 carries interior-1y the snaptoggle mechanism which connects the thrust rod 5d with the actuatingvalve stem. i lt Willbe noticed that a bell crank lever 55 has beensubstituted for the lever 32 in order to be similarly actuated. by aknife edge connection with the extremity of the thrust rod 5d. 'lhe spudwhich supports the thermostatic tube has a tube 56 leading from it tothe diaphragm 57, so that when the latter is flexed its movementistransmitteol'to the safety stem 58- and thence to the valve 59 to beordinarily operated by the Yactuating stem 60. l

l claim:

l. A device of the character described comprising a fuel valve, a stemconnected therewith, mechanism constantly connected with said stem andadapted to actuate the same in opposite directions, thermostatic meansfor actuating said mechanism and` a safety tlierinostatic applianceadapted to operate at a predetermined temperature and to move intoengagement with said stem to close said valve. i

y 2. it device of the character described comp-rising` a valve, athermostat, mechanism connected to said valve and normally adapted tohold said valve open, said thermostat being adapted to close said valve,and 'a safety theriiiostatic appliance adapted to control the movementof. said ymechanism to close said valve, said lappliance including amember adapted to engage a part of said mechanism.

3. A device of the character described comirising in combination, aWater heater, a burner, a fuel valve for'said burner, a valve actuatingstem, a storage tank, thermostatic mechanism operatively connected .withsaid valve stein, and asafety tlieriiiostatic -appli- V ance including;a. fusible element exposed to the temperature of the Water, amotion-another safety stem axially alined .with the first, said safetystem being operated by said niotor which is in turn operated by theWater pressure which is allovvedto act when said element fuses wherebysaid appliance is controlled b v Ythe pressure of the Water for4operating` said -`valve and for controlling said mechanism.

4. A device of the character 'described comprising in combination, aWater heater, a. burner, a fuell valve therefor, a storage tank,mechanism for opening and closing said valve, a thermostat for actuatingsaid A'liousp mechanism, a safety appliance also adapted to actuate saidmechanism 'and including a motor forming a part of a liollevvV connec-vtion'witli' said tank, and a fusible plug in such connection whereby theaction of said motor` is determined by a predetermined temperature. 1 l

'5. A device of the character' described comprising a valve actuatingmember, and a pair of thermostatically operated devices adaptedsuccessively to exert a force tending to move said member iii the samedirection.

"6. A device of the character described comprising a valve, theimostaticvprime mover element, snap mechanism connected therewith for suddenlyeither opening or closing said valve, another tlierinostaticallycontrolled mechanism operable in response to a relatively highertemperature .and

adapted to control said first mentioned mechanism and close said Yvalveonly when Asaid first mentioned mechanism has failed to close saidvalve.

7. d device of the character described comprising a valve, a valveactuating n i'ein-v ber, a thermostatic prime mover, mechanism formoving said member so as to both open adapted for tranciiaittiiigmovement of the latter tol the` formerm and including; an arm connectedwith said member and a device 'operatively connecting said prime mover`and. close said valve, said mechanism being closing position Wheneversaid prime mover fails to transmit movement -to said mechanism for suchpurpose.

8. A device of the character described comprising a valve actuatingmember, a therinostatic prime mover', an arm articulating with saidmember, mechanism adapted to be operated by said prime mover and noactuate said arm whereby to shift the position of said member, and asafety appliance adapted to control the position of said member andincluding a fluid pressure motor. v

9. It device of the character described comprising a vvaterl heatingconduit, a

and adapted to have operative communication with the Water circulatingsystem, and

a plug obstructing such communication and fusible at a predeterminedtemperature, said motor being arranged to close said valve when' suchcommunication is established.Y

fjdevice of the characterdescribed iic ico

iatv

comprising a valve, a thermostatic prime mover, means operativelyconnecting said.

elements and adapted positively to transfer reverse movements of thelatter to the former, a motor appliance acting upon and adapted toabsolutely control the position of .the same valve, the operation ofsaid appliance 'being likewise subject to thermostatic action at atemperature sufficiently high to be inutile unless said prime moverproves inoperative.

1l. A device of the character described comprising avalve actuatingmember, and a pair of thermostatically operated devices adaptedsuccessively and at distinct temperatures to exert a force tending tomove said member in the same direction, one such device being dependentupon the factor of expansion and the other upon pressure.

v12. A device of the character described comprising a Water heatingconduit, a burner, a fuel valve for said burner, a thermostatic primemover, means operatively connecting comprising a support, a prime movercarried thereby, a valve stern movably mounted upon said support,means'operatively connecting said prime mover and stem, and an emergencymotor appliance adapted to move said stem and when functionating toovercome the control of the latter by said prime mover, said ap liancebeing so. adjusted as to be normally inactive and adapted to functionateonly when said prime mover fails to'l operate. i

. 14.,A device of the character described comprising a closed housingprovided with fuel inlet and outlet openings, a valveat one of .saidopenings, a thermostatic prime mover entering and constantly in airtight connection 'With said housing, a distinct thermostaticallycontrolled and pressure actuated motor appliance having a part movablein said housing, mechanismy Within said housing for normally operating'said valve f to open position, said mechanism being suc.

cessively subject to actuation both by said pri-me mover and motor partwhereby to operate said valve to closed positionl at either of twopredetermined temperature stages.

15. A device of the character described one of said openings, athermostatic prime Lacasse mover entering said housing and having athreaded bore, a complementarily threaded member adjustablyitted in saidbore, an adjusting screw threaded in said housing for turning saidmember, mechanism operatively connecting ysaid prime mover and valve andadapted to have its range of movement prescribed by said adjustment, anda distinct normally inactive motor appli.- ance adapted to control theposition of said mechanism to close said valve.

16. Apparatus for heating and causing the circulation of l,Watercomprising the combination'of'a `heating conduit, a gas burner, a gasvalve, a storage tank connected with said conduit, a thermostatoperatively associated with the circulating system, mechanism connectingsaid thermostat and valve and including a spring normally acting to holdsaid valve open, said thermostat adapted to close said valve Wheneverthe Water in said system reaches a predetermined temperature, and anemergency control device for closing said valve and including; aseparate Water passage, a plug fusible at a pre-` determined temperatureand normally clos- `ing said passage off from said circulatory system soas to be unexposed to the water thereln, a movable member adapted to beac- 'tuated by the water pressure established in said passage Wheneversaid plug has melted and when so actuated to engage a part of saidmechanism, overcome its spring and close said valve, and a springnormally acting to hold said member beyond the range of -movement ofsaid mechanism part.

17,'A device of the character described, comprising a fuel valve,mechanism operatively connected vvith said valve and adapted to actuateit to either its openfor closed position, a thermostat connected withsaid mechanism and adapted to move the same, and an emergency controldevice adapted to absolutely control the position of said valve.

18. AL device of the character described comprising a fuel valve,mechanism opera tively connected With' said valve and adapted to actuateit to either its open or closed position, a thermostat connected Withsaid vmechanism and adapted to move it in one direction, a springadapted to move said mechanism in the opposite direction and anemergency control device adapted to overcome said spring and close saidvalve.

19. A device'of the character described comprising the combination Witha hot circulating water heating system including a heater, a' burner anda storage tank, of a fuel valve for said burner, mechanism operativelyconnected with said valve and adapted to. actuate itl to either its openor' closed position, a thermostat operatively connected with saidmechanism and adapted move it in one direction to close said valve, aspring adapted to move said mechansm in another direction to open seidvalve, Signed vToy Ine,- this 4th dey ot Octo'toer, end en emergencycontrol device roludfng 1916. v

a, distinct rallye operating part at p ug usv ole er, n predeterminedtemperature end e v *HERBERT 'J' LNG' conduit normally closed by seidplug for Attested Toyleading Water under pressure ngelnst seid RDW.. W.Hrorgs, loert Whenever seid plug melts., UMA-oon M. Frente.

